RECURRING EVENTS
3rd Monday of each month: Birds and Beer (Olympia), 4:30 pm. For more information, go to http://blackhills-audubon.org/fieldtrips-events.htm
Tuesdays: South Sound Prairie work party, 9 am – 3 pm
Olympia City Council, 7 pm (Olympia City Council Chambers: 601 4th Ave E)
http://olympia.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
Tumwater City Council, 7 pm on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday (Tumwater City Hall: 555 Israel Rd. SW) www.ci.tumwater.wa.us/ccagendasTOC.htm
Wednesdays: Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Bird Walk, 8-11 am – Meet at Visitor Center Overlook at 8 am.
Nisqually Land Trust Work Party, 9 am – noon
Last Wednesday of each month: Birds and Beer (Shelton), 5:00 pm. For more information, go to http://blackhills-audubon.org/fieldtrips-events.htm
Thursdays: Lacey City Council, 7 pm on the 2nd & 4th Thursday (Lacey City Hall: 420 College Street) Go to www.ci.lacey.wa.us/city-government/city-council/city-council-2/city-council-meetings/council-meetings for more info.
3rd Thursday of each month: Birding at Eagle’s Pride Golf Course at JBLM. For more info, go to http://blackhills-audubon.org/fieldtrips-events.htm
Fridays: South Sound Prairie work party, 9 am – 3 pm
Saturdays: Olympia Farmers’ Market, 10 am – 3 pm (700 N Capitol Way; Olympia 98501) http://olympiafarmersmarket.com.
South Sound Estuarium, 11 am – 4 pm (309 State Ave NE; Olympia 98501) http://sseacenter.wordpress.com/south-sound-estuarium
First Saturday of each month: First Saturday Birding and Breakfast. For more information, go to http://blackhills-audubon.org/fieldtrips-events.htm.
Sundays: Olympia Farmers’ Market, 10 am – 3 pm (700 N Capitol Way; Olympia 98501) http://olympiafarmersmarket.com.
South Sound Estuarium, 11 am – 4 pm (309 State Ave NE; Olympia 98501) http://sseacenter.wordpress.com/south-sound-estuarium
Other lists of volunteer events in Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife: http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/volunteer/events
Washington Department of Natural Resources: http://www.dnr.wa.gov
Washington Department of Parks: http://www.parks.wa.gov/262/Volunteer-Program
Welcome Chum Salmon at the Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail!
(off Hwy 101 between Olympia and Shelton) It’s that time of year again: the time when leaves start to turn, kids go back to school, and salmon return to their natal rivers to spawn. We’d like to welcome everyone back to the Trail for another great season of salmon viewing! This year the Trail will be open to the public on weekends through Sunday December 1st, plus 11/11 and 11/29, from 10am to 4pm. For more information and a map, go to http://www.masoncd.org/Kennedy.html.
Tuesday, November 18
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie work party
(South Thurston County) This Tuesday we will be spending the morning planting at Cavness Easement and the afternoon planting at the prairies on Wolf Haven. A two for one prairie event! Both prairies have unique histories and stories, so come learn about the land and plant natives. Dress for the weather, and bring along a box lunch, gloves and plenty of water. Directions to Cavness Easement—We will be meeting at Giddy-Up Coffee Corral in Tenino (724 Sussex Ave E; 98589) and driving up together: Take Old Highway 99 to Sussex Road (507) and take a left; Giddy-Up Coffee will be in .2 miles. Directions to Wolf Haven: Take exit 99 off of I-5; go east on 93rd Avenue (left from southbound I-5; right from northbound I-5); follow the road for 1.5 miles, going through 2 four-way stop signs; when the road ends at a “T’ junction, turn right onto Old Highway 99 and follow this road for 3.5 miles; after going through a short railroad tunnel, there will be a Chevron gas station on your right—take the left that is directly across from the Chevron station, onto Offut Lake Road; Wolf Haven is the first right off of Offut Lake Road; after entering Wolf Haven, take the road to the left that leads to the prairie entrance. For more information, contact ssvolunteers@cnlm.org. Sponsored by the Center for Natural Lands Management.
Wednesday 19 November
9:00am – 12:00pm – Nisqually Land Trust Work Party: Ohop Valley
(Near Eatonville) We’ll be pulling English Ivy. Contact Cris at Volunteer@NisquallyLandTrust.org to RSVP and for more information.
6:30 – 8:30 pm — Confronting the Climate Crisis
(Olympia Center: 222 Columbia Street NW; Olympia) Join the Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation’s group addressing the climate crisis. This year, we are active in four separate campaigns: 1) make Washington State the first state in the nation to divest from fossil fuels; 2) persuade the Port of Olympia to stop importing fracking proppants destined for the Bakken Oil shale industry; 3) start a housing efficiency demonstration project using no obligation public funding and on-bill utility payments; 4) persuade Governor Inslee to declare a moratorium on all fossil fuel infrastructure permits (the entire group). Contact Information: Bourtai or Ted at 352-6327 or climate@olympiafor.org.
Thursday, Nov 20
9am-12 noon — Capital Museum Native Plant Garden work party.
Join volunteers from the South Sound Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society at the Capital Museum Native Plant Garden, as they continue weeding, some planting and cleanup. Bring your favorite weeding tool (I hope for good weather). Water and snacks will be furnished. For more information, contact Bill Brookreson at b.brookreson@comcast.net or 253-292-8570.
6-9 pm – Free Naturescaping for Water & Wildlife Workshop, part 1
(Tumwater) Join us for an inspiring and highly-informative class taught by Native Plant Salvage’s Erica Guttman, to gain in-depth knowledge and advice for how to create the home landscape you’ve always wanted. A well-designed yard can be a beautiful extension of your house, a place to relax and entertain, a place to play, a place to grow food, and a worthwhile investment. Your yard can also help protect drinking-water supplies, streams, lakes, and Puget Sound, as well as salmon, shellfish, birds, other wildlife, and people that depend on clean water. Enjoy visits from birds and butterflies—and a healthier yard for your family—as you create habitat right outside your windows. This is a great opportunity to learn sustainable landscaping techniques, receive an introduction to many beautiful native and water-wise plants, and take the first step to bringing your home landscaping dreams into fruition. Tonight is the first part of a two-part workshop, and features detailed, hands-on information about how to incorporate beautiful native and other drought-tolerant plants into your landscape to attract amphibians, birds and butterflies while protecting water resources. Participants will learn how to transform their landscape while also saving time, money and resources! Part II of the workship is optional, and will be offered in spring 2015 to a limited number of participants who want to bring their draft plans back for review and feedback from professional landscape designers! The class is free, but you must register to participate: go to www.streamteam.info and click on “calendar.” For more information contact us at nativeplantsalvage@gmail.com or 360-867-2167.
6 – 8pm — Book Discussion – Our Food, Our Right: Recipes for Food Justice
This month we will be reviewing Our Food, Our Right: Recipes for Food Justice (2012) a great overview of the food sovereignty movement. Made up of a variety of stories spanning communities and cultures, there is something for everyone. Snacks and light refreshments provided, and as always, feel free to bring a dish to share inspired by the book if you so desire. Everyone welcome! Sponsored by the Olympia Food Co-op. For location, to register and learn about other classes, go to http://www.olympiafood.coop/classes.
7 pm — Forage Fish: Why Puget Sound’s Salmon and Birds Depend on Them
(LOTT Wet Science Center: 500 Adams Street NE; Olympia) South Sound Estuary Association’s Discovery Speaker Series presents Dayv Lowry, Research Scientist with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. Other experts join him to teach about forage fish, what they are, why they’re so important, and how citizen science can help us learn more about population dynamics. Doors open at 6:30 pm. The 90-minute presentation begins at 7 pm. Free! For more information, contact Amber Smith at (360) 528-5742 or ambersmith@lottcleanwater.org.
Friday, November 21
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie work party
(South Thurston County) There will be a volunteer event at Shotwell’s Landing Nursery. Days at Shotwell’s are spent honing native plant identification skills, weeding plant beds, and cleaning native seeds. Plus, it is always a good time. Dress for the weather, and bring along a box lunch, gloves and plenty of water. Directions to Shotwell’s Landing Nursery (14447 Littlerock Road SW; Rochester 98579): take I-5 to exit 95 (Littlerock exit), ~10 miles south of Olympia; go west on Maytown Rd SW to the only stop sign in Littlerock (by the elementary school); continue straight for ~100 feet, and turn left onto Littlerock Road; go 1.7 miles south on Littlerock Road—Shotwell’s Nursery will be on your right. For more information, contact ssvolunteers@cnlm.org. Sponsored by the Center for Natural Lands Management.
Saturday 22 November
9:00am – 12:00pm – Nisqually Land Trust Work Party: Mashel River
(Near Eatonville) We’ll be pulling English Ivy. Contact Cris at Volunteer@NisquallyLandTrust.org to RSVP and for more information.
10 am – 3 pm – Salvaging native prairie plants from Webster’s Seed Farm
(South Thurston County) Ever think of starting your own native plant garden? Well you are in luck, because CNLM is vacating Webster’s Farm. On Saturday Angela would love volunteers and friends to come and help remove and take home plants. We have over 30 species available for salvage, including: Camassia quamash, Erigeron speciosus, Fragaria virginiana, Viola adunca, Castilleja hispida, Lomatium utriculatum, and Lomatium triternatum. Bring digging tools and containers for transporting the plants to their new homes. Directions to Webster’s Seed Farm: From I-5, take exit 99. At the exit, turn right. Continue until you see a U.S. Forest Service research station on the left, then take the first left after the research station (Jones Road) until you reach a gate in the fence on the right (about 1/4 mile). Turn into gate and follow gravel road to the tree line and the ‘T’ in the road, then turn right and follow gravel road and park with other cars. For more information, contact ssvolunteers@cnlm.org. Sponsored by the Center for Natural Lands Management.
2 pm — Green Chemistry Workshop
(LOTT Wet Science Center: 500 Adams Street NE; Olympia) Make your own green cleaner samples and learn about green chemistry! Chemists from Earth Friendly Products will illustrate how to choose the right ingredients to make a safe and sustainable product. The workshop is for ages 8 and up, and begins at 2 pm. Free! For more information, contact Amber Smith at (360) 528-5742 or ambersmith@lottcleanwater.org.
Tuesday, November 25
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie work party
(South Thurston County) Dress for the weather, and bring along a box lunch, gloves and plenty of water. For more information, contact ssvolunteers@cnlm.org. Sponsored by the Center for Natural Lands Management.
Wednesday 26 November
9:00am – 12:00pm – Nisqually Land Trust Work Party: Red Salmon Creek
(near DuPont) We’ll be pulling English Ivy. Contact Cris at Volunteer@NisquallyLandTrust.org to RSVP and for more information.
Friday, November 28
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie work party
(South Thurston County) Dress for the weather, and bring along a box lunch, gloves and plenty of water. For more information, contact ssvolunteers@cnlm.org. Sponsored by the Center for Natural Lands Management.
December 5
8 pm — Pier Peer
(Olympia) Join South Sound Estuary Association at Boston Harbor Marina for Pier Peer night-lighting events the first Friday night of each month. Peer below the waters of Puget Sound and discover the lives of mysterious and beautiful creatures. Jellyfish, colorful sea slugs, predatory worms and more visit us at the underwater lights. Learn about the animals of Puget Sound and see them like you never have before! The cost is $10 for 12 and older; children 6-11 that accompany an adult are free. (The event is not appropriate for children under 6.) Pre-register is required: go to http://sseacenter.wordpress.com/pier-peer. If you find registration is closed, don’t worry — there is a Pier Peer every month ALL YEAR!
December 6
noon–Green Building Design Workshop for Kids
(LOTT Wet Science Center: 500 Adams Street NE; Olympia) Solar panels, green roofs, and rain gardens, oh my! This workshop starts at noon and encourages children and adults to observe, explore, and design together. A slideshow followed by a tour of our LEED certified green building provides the inspiration for a handson design lab. You get to be the engineer and construct your own green building model to bring home! Free! For more information, contact Amber Smith at (360) 528-5742 or ambersmith@lottcleanwater.org.
Sunday, December 7
1-3pm — McCormick Forest Park Native Plant Walk
(Gig Harbor) Join the South Sound Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society for a walk in McCormick Forest Park. Cyndy Dillon lead a walk through old-growth firs and a lush display of other native plants. Remember to dress for the weather including good walking shoes. For more information, contact Cyndy at cpdillongh@comcast.net.
December 13
2 pm — Waste-Free Holidays
(LOTT Wet Science Center: 500 Adams Street NE; Olympia) During this season of heightened consumerism, consider starting a new tradition of waste free holiday giving! Create your own, personalized gift certificates and envelopes for a wide variety of memorable experiences or services – the possibilities are endless! Join us for a 2 pm presentation highlighting how consumer products are made and their environmental impacts, especially their water footprint. Knowing the story behind the things we buy, use, and toss can help us make purchasing choices that improve our lives and the lives of others. Free! For more information, contact Amber Smith at (360) 528-5742 or ambersmith@lottcleanwater.org.
December 20
2 pm — Lunar Wonder
(LOTT Wet Science Center: 500 Adams Street NE; Olympia) Join us as we explore our powerful moon! Check out the phases of the moon and its effects on tides, plants, and animals. From werewolves to weather prediction, the moon is a prominent figure in the folklore of many cultures. Beyond stories, science is revealing more and more about the moon’s influence on rhythms here on Earth. Come learn, talk, and create as you explore the moon’s influence in your life. The presentation begins at 2 pm and there will be activities in the classroom all day. Free! For more information, contact Amber Smith at (360) 528-5742 or ambersmith@lottcleanwater.org.
December 21
11am – 3 pm — Turn of the Tides Festival
(South Sound Estuarium: 309 State Ave. NE, Olympia) The South Sound Estuary Association presents the Turn of the Tides Festival! Come celebrate the Winter Solstice with a free family friendly event! Come participate in fun activities, arts and crafts, educational booths with partner organizations, chowder and warm beverages, plus much more to come! Don’t miss out on this exciting event! Free admission to the Estuarium all day! For more information, go to http://www.sseacenter.org.
December 27
2 pm — Down the Drain and Then What?
(LOTT Wet Science Center: 500 Adams Street NE; Olympia) Want to know more about how your community’s wastewater gets cleaned and reused? Join us for a 2 pm presentation on wastewater treatment, reclaimed water production and its uses, and what happens to residual chemicals from our medicines, cleaners, and personal care products. Hear more about LOTT’s Reclaimed Water Infiltration Study and how you can get involved! Free! For more information, contact Amber Smith at (360) 528-5742 or ambersmith@lottcleanwater.org.
Monday, January 12
7-9 pm — Cowlitz Tribe Prairie and Huckleberry Restoration Projects
(Capitol Museum Coach House: 211 21st Avenue SW; Olympia) Ecologist Nathan Reynolds will speak about some of the habitat restoration projects that the Cowlitz Tribe is undertaking, both alpine huckleberry meadows and lowland prairie/oak woodland habitats. In particular, he will focus on the ethnoecology of these places, to demonstrate that many habitat types only existed because of the indigenous management regime, and that successful restoration often means a return to techniques approximating indigenous management. Sponsored by the South Sound Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society. Meetings are free and open to the public.
Wednesday, January 14
7-9 pm — Cook’s Third Voyage and the Evolution of the Northwest Passage
(Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 South Tyler Street, Tacoma) Drawn from Dave Nicandri’s work-in-progress book on Cook’s voyaging in the high latitudes, and the map collection of the Washington State Historical Society, this illustrated lecture shows the progression of European depiction of the Pacific basin from the 16th century forward, emphasizing the pivotal cartographic implications of the great navigator’s third and final voyage in quest of the Northwest Passage and its aftermath. Sponsored by the South Sound Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society. Meetings are free and open to the public.